SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE FISHING REPORT
By: Captain Chad Green
www.lastcastguideservicesml.com
May fishing report
Visit https://missilebaits.store/and check out all they have to offer.
Special Thanks to Brian Carter at the https://thebasscast.com/Check out Smith Mountain Boat and Tackle Penhook for your boating needs
https://www.smboats.com. Visit Indian Point Marina, as Captain Dewayne Lamb has moved locations. Go by and check his new place and their food truck that will be opening soon.
Check out Rod and Grill for some good food at Indian Point Marina as well.
PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE ON CITATION SIZE FISH
Largemouth Bass/Smallmouth Bass
The shad spawn will be in full swing this month, and the bass will be after them for sure. Look for them on rip rap banks and clay points in the early morning with topwater and swimbaits. Once the sun gets higher, you may have to fish similar areas a little deeper, 8-12 ft, to find the fish on small structure. Topwater can still produce bites, so look for Wolfpacks of large fish moving fast as they look for herring spawning. The pattern will be effective the whole month of May into June unless it gets really hot quick. Docks and flat points can produce some larger male fish guarding fry this month. Top water plugs will be the primary choice for this tactic. Nighttime topwater fishing will be great this month as well as the shad will be spawning well on warm, clear nights. Target rip rap banks with wake baits or walking baits.
Striped Bass
Stripers will be cruising the shallows early morning and late evenings. Look for them around the same places the shad are spawning as well, rocky banks, clay points, shoals etc. Live bait and surface plugs will be great producers in the early morning. Schools of stripers surface feeding will be seen at times but will mostly be smaller fish. Larger fish will be roaming by themselves in small groups. Large 8-10” glide baits or swim baits will produce these fish to show themselves. Large live bait will always produce, too.
Crappie
Crappie will be found around larger docks and deep laydowns as they move into their summer patterns. Try small jigs and minnows.
Tournaments
Tues night and Friday night tournaments at Indian Point Marina
Saturday night Tournaments at Foxport Marina
The Bass Cast Tourney Series May 31st, 7-3 SML State Park
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